Results 1-20 of 873 for speaker:Averil Power

Seanad: Flooding: Statements (20 Jan 2016)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister of State. Everybody was caught unprepared by the extent of the extreme weather over Christmas. The Minister of State was out doing his best to address it. Understandably, there is a great deal of anger throughout the country, particularly in areas that had previously been flooded. I refer, for example, to Athlone, which was also badly flooded in 2009. What is...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Jan 2016)

Averil Power: I support the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my Independent colleague, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien. I also wish to commend the work undertaken on this issue for some time by Senator John Whelan concerning the Environmental Protection Agency in Portlaoise. The arguments have been well set out here, so I urge all Members to support that amendment. As we are short of time, I will...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Adoption Legislation (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: At the start of this year, the Seanad passed the Adoption (Identity and Information) Bill proposed by me and seconded by Senator Jillian van Turnhout. The Bill passed the Seanad with unanimous support. It was also supported by groups representing adopted people and natural parents. In July, the Government indicated its intention to move this issue forward by bringing forward its own Bill....

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Adoption Legislation (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: Tá. I appreciate the Minister of State is replying on behalf of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I am very disappointed that there is no commitment to passing the Bill before the election. Thousands of people are waiting on this legislation which is very important for many people who are separated through adoption. I appreciate the Minister of State's brief is on equality...

Seanad: Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: I, too, welcome this legislation which is a positive move. It is important we facilitate people whose businesses have collapsed or who have unsustainable personal debts to make a fresh start and to be able to contribute to the economy again. I also note the Bill includes increased penalties in cases of non-co-operation and fraud. It is right to have that balance to support those who are...

Seanad: Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Second Stage (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: The Senator is sitting behind the Minister of State. He is the Acting Chairman.

Seanad: Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: I noted the Minister of State's response on the transitional periods but I am no more enlightened than was the case when I asked the question. He stated he is satisfied that the transitional period will work smoothly. The specific question I asked relates to the approximately 1,000 people who have already been in bankruptcy from more than 12 months. As I understand it, they will become...

Seanad: Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: They will have to wait for six months. Will the six months be used to release people now from bankruptcy or will they all have to wait six months before the process starts?

Seanad: Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: Will the Minister of State to confirm, as Senator Hayden outlined, that the six months will be used to go through the files so the body of work has been done during the transitional period? Will the six months being used for this purpose, so that in six months time some people will be let go on day one, day two and day three? With respect, it has taken a lot of tick-tacking between the...

Seanad: Bankruptcy (Amendment) Bill 2015: Committee and Remaining Stages (17 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: I am just seeking clarity.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (9 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: I have tabled the matter to highlight the urgent need for Howth Harbour to be dredged in order to ensure its long-term viability as a commercial fishing port, leisure harbour and tourism destination. The harbour has silted up to such an extent in recent years that the situation in Howth is bordering on being dangerous. Even medium-sized fishing trawlers cannot enter the harbour at low tide...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Harbours and Piers Maintenance (9 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: I welcome the Minister of State's confirmation that Howth stands up as a project and that dredging is needed. As I said, there is evidence to support that. The Minister of State said that the 2016 programme is still being considered, therefore, it has not yet been finalised, so there is still time for Howth to be included in it. That is essential and consideration of it should not be...

Seanad: Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: I support this amendment. The Minister of State is aware that this issue has been debated on several occasions in the House in recent years. This is his final opportunity to do the right thing by members of the IAS pension scheme. It is absolutely horrific that people who worked for years with Aer Lingus, the Dublin Airport Authority and other aspects of the airlines at Dublin Airport have...

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: How could it possibly be in order for us to discuss amendments without having the Bill as passed on Committee Stage? It is very confusing.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: Although I have the list of amendments, we are working from the Bill as passed by Dáil Éireann, not the Bill as passed on Committee Stage in the Seanad.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: To my knowledge, this is the first time we have been in this situation, even with other rushed legislation.

Seanad: Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Report Stage (Resumed) (1 Dec 2015)

Averil Power: This is very important legislation.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2015)

Averil Power: On 22 October and 10 December 2014 Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann, respectively, adopted motions calling on the Government to recognise the state of Palestine. A wave of EU parliaments, including those in the United Kingdom, France and Spain, have passed similar motions. In most cases, recognition is part of an overall approach to the Middle East peace process. In May 2015...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2015)

Averil Power: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and appreciate that he will bring this issue to the attention of the Minister. I wish to stress that recognition by itself will not end occupation and only Israel can do so. Ireland's recognition of the state of Palestine would have enormous symbolic significance. Last year, after this House passed a motion that I had initiated, I was invited to...

Seanad: Services for People with Asthma: Motion (18 Nov 2015)

Averil Power: I second the motion. I thank my Independent colleague, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, for tabling this important motion. The statistics she read into the record are stark indeed. Two figures struck me in particular. First, every 26 minutes someone visits an accident and emergency department due to asthma. Second, someone dies every week because of asthma, yet 90% of these deaths are...